Police: Man assaults pregnant woman, tries to punch baby

Donora police said a man was drunk when he took a swing at an 1-year-old boy before grabbing a pregnant woman and throwing her to the ground Monday night.

Police said Paul J. McGavitt Jr. was intoxicated and got into an argument with two women at 858 Thompson Ave. before he tried to punch the boy in the kitchen.

McGavitt missed the boy, police said, but he then grabbed his pregnant girlfriend and threw her to the ground. Investigators said neither Autumn Jarvis nor the young boy was seriously injured in the attack.

Police did not say what prompted the fight or why McGavitt, 25, of 712 Monongahela Ave., North Charleroi, allegedly tried to punch the boy.

McGavitt kicked a door and wall before running from the house about 9:30 p.m., police said.

Jarvis told investigators she received a phone message from McGavitt the following night that she was “a rat” if she told Donora police about the incident. According to the criminal complaint supporting the arrest, McGavitt told Jarvis “the police would find her in the river if she spoke with police.”

Police officers patrolling in Charleroi spotted McGavitt about 9 p.m. Tuesday and arrested him following a short foot chase.

McGavitt was transferred back to Donora police and charged with child endangerment, terroristic threats, witness intimidation, criminal mischief and harassment.

He was arraigned by District Judge David Mark late Tuesday night and taken to Washington County jail on $50,000 cash bond. McGavitt’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 10.